Control for electric weft detectors



Dec. 23, 1947. A, C, KRUKONIS 2,433,128.

CONTROL FOR ELECTRIC WEFT DETECTORS 24 i 60 A I lNV-ENTOR ALEXANIDER c. KRUKONIS 64Mf? ATTORNEY Dec. 1947. A. c. KRUKONIS 2,433,128

CONTROL FOR ELECTRIC WEFT DETECTORS Filed May 4,-1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ALEXANDER C.KRUKONIS ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 23, 1947 CON'ERQL FOR ELECTRIC WEFT DETECTORS Alexander 0. Krukonis, Worcester, Mass., assignor to Crompton & Knowles Loom Works, Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 4, 1946, Serial No. 667,349

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in weft detecting mechanisms for looms and it is the general object of the invention to provide means for moving the detector fingers to a position of safety whenever a weft replenishing operation occurs, or when the loom is turned up to front center by the weaver for the purpose of moving the shuttle out of the shuttle box.

When a weft detector is located at the magazine side of an automatic loom it is necessary to provide some means for moving its detector fingers out of the path of the incoming bobbin at the time of a replenishing operation. This has ordinarily been done in the past by mounting the entire detector on a sliding base and moving the detector forwardly by a part having motion incident to replenishment, such as a stud on the transferrer arm. This type of control has been used heretofore even in those detectors employing electric detector fingers slidable in a base of insulating material.

It is customary for weavers when removing a shuttle from a shuttle box to place the lay near its front center position so that the warp shed will be closed. The shuttle is then moved out of the box manually, but if the detector fingers should project into the shuttle they are likely to be bent or otherwise damaged during this shuttle removing operation. In the case of mechanical detectors which are much stronger than the electrical detectors there is not much likelihood of damage, but with the delicate lightweight wire fingers used in electri weft detectors some provision must be made to move them out of the path of the shuttle should the latter be pushed out of the box while the lay is nearer front center position. This result can be achieved by mounting the detector as a whole on the sliding support, as is the case when the detector is moved incident to a replenishing operation, but such a means of mounting is bulky and expensive.

It is an important object of my present invention to move detector fingers to a position of safety while their supporting base is in the stationary position. Under such conditions the base can be bolted to a comparatively simple and inexpensive form of mounting.

In a type of electric weft detector which has come into use recently there are employed sheet metal bow springs holding the detector fingers yieldingly in rearward detecting position. As these detectors have been made heretofore the spring can be moved forwardly without a corresponding motion on the part of the detector fingers. It is another object of my present invention to provide such a connection between the sheet metal springs and the detector fingers as will cause the latter to move both forwardly and backwardly whenever the springs have corresponding motions, and provide means for moving the springs forwardly under the conditions already mentioned.

With respect to that procedure in which the weft detectors are moved out of the shuttle box manually while the lay is near its front center position it is a more particular object of my invention to provide a controller for the aforesaid sheet metal springs mounted on the support for the detector and controlled by a part moving incident to loom stoppage, such as the shipper handle, in such manner as to move the detector fingers forwardly to a position of safety whenever the loom is stopped. This feature of the invention contemplates mounting a moving part, such as a lever, on the fixed support for the detector base. It is necessary to provide some adjustment for the detector most of which can be effected by movement of the support, and since the lever moves with the support, it is always in correct position with respect to the detector finger springs.

The aforesaid springs are in electric engagement with the detector fingers and to prevent a false indication of the detectin mechanism it is a further object of my present invention to move the springs forwardly by a member made of insulating material, or constructed at least in such manner that the springs will not be electrically connected.

With these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein a convenient embodiment of my invention is set forth,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of parts of a weft replenishing loom having my invention applied thereto with the detector and parts associated therewith in normal position during forward movement of the lay,

Fig. 2 is a plan View looking in the direction of arrow 2, Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a detailed vertical section through the detector taken on line 33 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views showing the manner of operation of the invention, Fig. 5 showing the control exercised when the loom is 3 stopped, and Fig. 6 showing a control corresponding to a weft replenishing operation,

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating protector mechanism as one means by which the loom may be stopped with attendant shifting of the shipper handle, and

Fig. 8 is a detail front elevation looking in the direction of arrow 8, Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown a loom frame If] supporting the base ll of a reserve bobbin magazine not shown. Secured to this base is a stud IE on which is pivoted a transferrer arm I3 having a transfer foot I l. A transferrer latch I5 is secured as at I6 to a latch holder I! and the latter is pivoted as at l8 to a part of the transferrer arm.

The lay 29 has a shuttle box 2! to receive the shuttle S. The shuttle box in the present instance includes a front binder 22 having a detector slot 23 therein of usual construction. A bunter 24 secured to the lay is adapted for engagement with the latch l5 when the latter is raised to effect a replenishing operation. Under normal conditions the latch is in the low inoperative position shown in Fig. 1, but when a replenishing operation is called the latch is lifted by means not shown into the path of the bunter 24, and as the lay approaches its front center position it moves the latch I5 forwardly to cause clockwise rocking of the transferrer arm as viewed in Fig. 1 with the resultant descent of the transfer foot I 4 to push a reserve bobbin not shown into the shuttle S.

The usual power loom has several stop control mechanisms called into action to arrest loom operation whenever any one of several defective conditions exist in the loom. Among these stop mechanisms is the protector mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and '7. This mechanism is illustrated herein merely as an example of means for stopping the loom, and my invention is not limited in its operation to the protector mechanism, since it operates equally well when the loom is stopped by any of the other stop motions, such as those called into action by defects in either the weft or the warp.

A protector rod 25 is mounted for rocking movement on the front part of the lay and has a protector finger 26 extending upwardly for engagement with the binder 22. Extending forwardly from the protector rod is a dagger 2! for cooperation with a lever 28 pivoted on the loom frame as at 29, see Fig. 7. The outer end of lever 28 is positioned for engagement with an upstanding lug 38 moving with a shipper handle 3| mounted on the shipper rod 32. During normal loom operation the shipper handle is in forward position, or to the left as shown in Fig. 1, and the dagger 2'! is moved to its low position upon proper boxing of the shuttle and misses the lever 28 as the lay advances. If for any reason the shuttle should fail to enter the box the dagger 21 engages the lever 28 and causes rocking of the shipper handle 3! in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 to effect loom stoppage.

The mechanism thus far described of itself forms no part of my present invention and is usual in the ordinary weft replenishing loom.

The weft detecting mechanism in the present instance is of the electric type and comprises a base made of insulating material and having slidably mounted therein for backward and forward movement two electric detector fingers 3t and 3'! adapted to enter the slot 23 and pass through a slot 38 in the front wall 39 of the shuttle S. The bobbin B of the shuttle is provided with a metallic ferrule 40 which is ordinarily covered with yarn, but as weft exhaustion approaches the ferrule is uncovered and as the lay advances it engages and electrically connects the fingers 36 and 31. A loom controlling circuit not shown is thereupon closed the result of which is to cause a replenishing operation. Except as indicated hereinafter the Weft detector thus far described may be of usual construction.

In carrying my invention into effect I provide an arm 58 secured to and extending rearwardly from the transferrer arm stud 12. This arm is provided with a horizontal slot 5| through which extends a bolt 52 passing also through an upper arm 53 of a support designated generally at 5 5. The support has a horizontal arm 35 provided with slots 55 extending generally parallel to the lay and receiving bolts 51 by which the previously described detector base 35 is secured to the support 54. The arm 53 has a vertical slot 58 for the bolt 52 and this slot together with slot 5| provides means for adjusting the support 54 both vertically and horizontally in a direction toward and from the lay. The slots 56 provide for adjusting the detector base 35 in a direction parallel to the lay.

The detector fingers 36 and 31 are provided with sheet metal bow springs 60 and BI, respectively, of the general form shown for instance in Fig. 1. Each finger has secured to it a small collar 62 receiving the rearward thrust of the associated spring and this collar is held against a cross bar 63 forming part of the detector base 35. The upper ends of the springs are penetrated by their corresponding detector fingers and hang downwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The forward upper end of each spring bears against a second cross bar 64 also formed as part of the base 35.

Each detector finger is provided with an offset crimp 65 immediately in front of the rear upper end of the corresponding spring. The rear end of each spring is therefore located between the corresponding collar 62 and crimp t5, and this relationship requires each detector finger and the upper rear end of its spring to move together as the finger slides either forwardly or rearwardly. It is by this construction that the spring can be caused to move its finger not only rearwardly in the usual manner, but also forwardly for the purposes of the present invention.

The detector springs are subject to two different controls, one to move the detector fingers forwardly during a weft replenishing operation, and the other to have a similar action when the loom is stopped. To effect the first of these controls I provide a rod ill secured by nut H to the transfer latch I5. This rod extends in a direction generally parallel to the lay and laterally from the transfer latch l5 a sufficient distance to be able to engage the springs when the latch is moved forwardly during a replenishing operation. The rod it is preferably provided with an offset 72 by means of which it can be adjusted as to its back and forth position by angular movement rela- 'tively to the latch :5. The adjustment will be held by the nut H and will be made whenever the base 35 is moved toward or from the lay by movement of the bolt 52 horizontally along the slot 5|.

The second of the previously mentioned controls for the detector springs includes a lever 75 pivoted on a stud 16 secured to and moving with the support 54 whenever the latter is moved for adjusting purposes, see Figs. 1, 2 and 8. This lever has at its lower end a laterally extending rod Tl normally behind but close to the detector springs. The shipper mechanism is provided with an arm it which rocks with the shipper handle and the rear end of which is pivoted as at T9 to an upwardly extending connector 85] adjustable as to its length by means of a turnbuckle El. The upper end of this connector is pivoted as at 82 to the lever it. In order that the weight of lever is and connector may be supported independently of the shipper handle I provide a spring 83 connected as at 8A to a part of lever 15 and as at as to a fixed part of the support 53. This. spring represents a refinement which is not essential to the operation of the invention.

Whenever a replenishing operation is called the transferrer latch will be raised from the full line to the dot and dash line position I shown in Fig. 6 to place the rod it behind the detector springs. As the lay advances to effect a replenishing operation latch it will be moved forwardly to the dotted line position II and rod ll! will move forwardly and advance the rear parts of the springs [iii and ti, moving said parts from the full to the dotted line position of Fig. 6. As the springs move in this manner they engage the crimps 65 and slide the detector fingers t6 and 37 forwardly on the base 35 while the latter is stationary. The movement of the fingers under these conditions is sufficient to place them out of the path of the incoming bobbin.

. When the loom is stopped with resultant movement of th shipper handle to the right from the position shown in Fig. l, the arm it will be depressed from the full line to the dotted line position of Fig. 5, and connector til will be pulled. down, thereby causing movement in a clockwise direction of lever to. The rod ii is thus moved forwardly and together with the springs assume the dotted line position of Fig. 5. In this instance also the crimps 55 enable the springs to move the detector fingers forwardly out of the shuttle slot 38, hence the shuttle can be moved out of its box 2| without damaging the fingers Ito and 3?. When the loo-m is again started by moving the shipper handle from the dotted line to the full line position of Fig. 5, connector to will be lifted and rod ll will be returned to its normal position in which it permits free unimpeded motion of the detector fingers and their springs.

It will be noted that whenever the support 54 is adjustable vertically or horizontally toward and from the lay for adjustment of the detector base the lever it moves with the detector and the position of rod It and the detector springs remain unchanged. Adjustment of the detector in a horizontal direction parallel to the lay merely moves the springs laterally or along the stud 11 without changing the distance between them and rod ll.

Whenever the springs are engaged to move the detector fingers forwardly it is necessary to prevent them from being electrically connected, otherwise a false indication would be given to the loom controlling circuit already mentioned. It is for this reason that rod to is surrounded by a coating or sleeve to of insulating material to provide a non-conducting surface for engagement with the springs. It will be necessary of course to take the same precaution with respect to the rod ll, which will be made in the manner similar to rod "ill, and have a coating or sleeve 91.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided simple means by which the electric detecting fingers can be moved forwardly on their stationary supporting base whenever a weft replenishing operation occurs or the loom is stopped. The detector springs are shown in the present instance as made of fiat sheet metal of such form as to cooperate with the rods l0 and H, but I do not wish to be limited in all the uses of my invention to the particular form of spring set forth herein. It will be noted that the lever 15 is pivoted to and moves with the detector support 54 so that any adjustment made by virtue of the slots 5! and 58 does not disturb the relation between rod l1 and the spring. It will also be apparent that horizontal adjustments of the detector parallel to the lay will not alter the distance between the stud H and the springs. The offset 72 in rod It permits a limited amount of back and forth adjustment of the detector with respect to the latch l5. The vertical adjustment of the detector is ordinarily of limited extent and the rear parts of the detector springs have a sufficiently long vertical part to remain in engaging position relatively to the stud ill for all normal vertical adjustments of the detector.

Having thus described my invention it will be seen that changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, but what I claim is:

1. In a weft replenishing loom having a lay and provided with bobbin transfer mechanism including a latch moved forwardly by the lay incident to a weft replenishing operation, an electric weft detector including a stationary base of insulating material and a pair of electric detector fingers slidable on the base in a direction toward and from the lay, a spring for each finger having a part connected to the latter and effective to move the finger rearwardly or forwardly depending upon whether said part of the spring moves rearwardly or is moved forwardly, and

1 means on the latch engaging each spring to move the latter forwardly during a weft replenishing operation to effect forward movement of the fingers in a direction away from said lay.

2. In a weft replenishing loom provided with a shuttle box, an electric Weft detector including a stationary base and a pair of electric weft detectors slidable on the base in a direction toward and from the shuttle box, a bow spring for each finger having the forward end thereof normally in a fixed position with respect to said base and having the rear end thereof connected to the finger, the rear end of each spring and the associated finger being so constructed that the spring tends to move the finger rearwardly and is effective to move the finger forwardly when the rear end of said spring is moved forwardly, and means operative incident to a weft replenishing operation of the loom to engage and move the rear end of each spring forwardly to effect movement of said fingers in a direction forwardly of said shuttle box.

3. In a weft replenishing loom having a backwardly and forwardly reciprocating lay, an electric weft detector including a stationary base, a pair of electric detector fingers insulated from each other and mounted on said base for sliding movement in a direction toward and from the lay, a bow spring for each detector finger holding the latter normally yieldingly in rearward position, means moving a portion of each spring forwardly incident to a weft replenishing operation of the loom, and means on each finger engaged by said portion of the associated spring by which the finger is moved forwardly from the lay when said portion of the spring is moved forwardly.

4. In a weft replenishing loom having a back- Wardly and forwardly reciprocating lay, an electric Weft detector including an normally stationary base, a pair of metallic detector fingers insulated from each other and slidable on said base toward and from the lay, a metallic spring for each finger normally effective to hold the latter yieldingly in rearward detecting position, means by which forward motion of a part of each spring causes forward movement of the associated detector finger, and means having a non-conducting surface engaging said parts of the springs and moving said parts forwardly incident to a weft replenishing operation of theloom,

5. In a weft replenishing loom, an electric weft detector including a stationary base, a pair of electric detector fingers insulated from each other and slidably mounted on said base for backward and forward movement relatively thereto, a U- shaped metallic spring for each finger having a rear part normally effective to hold the detector finger in rearward position, each finger being so constructed that forward movement of said rear part of the associated spring causes forward movement of the finger, a bobbin transfer latch having a forward movement incident to a weft replenishing operation of the loom, and a nonconducting rod on said latch moving therewith and engaging said rear part of each spring to move said part and the associated finger forwardly when the latch moves forwardly during a weft replenishing operation.

6. In an electric weft detector, a base formed of insulating material, a pair of electric detector fingers slidably mounted on the base, a base engaging collar on each detector finger, each finger being formed with a lateral crimp forward of the associated collar, and a spring for each finger, each spring having a part thereof located be tween the collar and lateral crimp of the associated finger, whereby movement of the spring either forwardly or backwardly causes a corresponding movement of the finger.

'7. In a loom having a member moving from running to stopped position when the loom stops, a weft detector having a stationary base, a pair of detector fingers slidable on the base,'a spring for each finger, each finger and the associated spring being so constructed that the spring due to forward movement thereof effects forward movement of the associated finger, and means operated by said memberwhen the latter moves from running to stopped position to engage and move said springs forwardly and thereby cause forward movement of the fingers relatively to the base.

8.111 a loom having a member moving from running to stopped position when the loom stops, an electric weft detector having a base made of insulating material, a pair of electric detector fingers slidably mounted on the base for backward and forward movement relatively thereto, a spring for each finger normally holding the latter in rearward position, each finger having means thereon in front of a part of the associated spring to cause forward movement of the finger when said part of the associated spring is moved forwardly, and means operated by said member when the latter moves from running to stopped position to engage said part of each spring and move the latter forwardly.

9. In a loom having a member moving from running to stopped position when the loom stops, a stationary support, a weft detect-or secured to said support and having a base, a pair of detector fingers slidably mounted for backward and forward movement on said base, a spring for each finger normally holding the latter in rearward position, each finger and the associated spring being so constructed that forward movement of a part of the spring causes forward. movement of the finger, an element movably mounted on the support, connections between said member and the element causing movement of the latter in a given direction when said member moves from running to stopped position, and means on said element eifective when the latter moves in said given direction to engage said part of each spring and move the latter and the associated finger forwardly.

10. In a loom having a lay and having a member moving from running to stopped position when the loom stops, a support mounted on the loom in adjusted position toward and from the lay, weft detector fingers slidably mounted relatively to the support, an element movably mounted on the support, connections between said member and element to cause movement of the latter when said member moves from running to stopped position, and means operated by said element when the latter is moved by said member to cause sliding movement of said fingers relatively to the support.

11.1n a loom having a lay and a member moving from running to stopped position when the loom is stopped, a support, means for holding said support normally in fixed position in any one of a plurality of positions adjusted vertically and toward and from the lay, a weft detector on the support having fingers slidable relatively to the support in a direction forwardly of the lay, an element movably mounted on the support, connections between the element and said member causing forward movement of the element when said member moves from running to stopped position, and means operated by said element when the latter is moved forwardly by said member .to move said fingers forwardly.

ALEXANDER C. KRUKONIS.

REFERENCES ITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 692,591 Baker Feb. 4, 1902 1,647,720 Wakefield Nov. 1, 1927 1,811,590 Nicely June 23, 1931 2,392,913 Geier Jan. 15, 1946 2,422,911 Keenan June 24, 1947 

